We'd like to thank everyone for coming out to our second annual general meeting. If the weather kept you from attending, here's what you missed.

The Lindsay Golf & Country Club, provided an elegant setting for the AGM with the tree-lined driveway and the century-old house that's now the clubhouse, serving as reminder of Lindsay's history and rural roots. The reception room was made up with round tables draped with bright cloths in KLAC's colours. Centrepieces continued the colours and elegance in special multi-coloured roses. The corner of the room was staged and ready for the Kents to play, a table was set up with their merchandise for sale, and another table was available for members to put out promotional material alongside material about KLAC and the Arts & Heritage Trail.

Guests began to filter in and circulate. In total about 60 people filled the room, including Councillor Pat O'Reilly from the City of Kawartha Lakes. Board member Penni Holdham acted as master of ceremony for the evening.

Chair Pat Murphy spoke about KLAC's accomplishments of the past year, including the establishment of the Arts & Heritage Trail and the accompanying geocaches, both of which aim to promote art & tourism as well as increase local arts & economy.

Board member Susan Taylor explained the joint-committee that has worked for the past year in partnership with the Heritage Network to begin projects such as a committee for establishing a community centre and a cultural roundtable for the future advocacy of the arts.

Debra Soule, economic development officer for the City of Kawartha Lakes, spoke about the Arts & Heritage Trail, about how we have a community full of artisan and heritage sites, and the Trail will help people find these places. She also mentioned more information will be coming about the cultural roundtable, including bi-monthly meetings at various locations around Kawartha Lakes. Watch for the announcement of the first meeting to be held later in May.

Board member Dianne Lister helped guide everyone through the business portion of the evening, going over the financial materials and asking for motions and votes as required. As Treasurer, she said that KLAC has made excellent progress for being a young organization. She also reminded everyone that KLAC is a non-profit organization, but not a charity.

At the conclusion of the business portion of the meeting, Pat Murphy made a special presentation of Lifetime Membership to the band, The Strumbellas, in honour of their significant contribution to the music community around the world. This band, with three members hailing from the Lindsay area, has raised the profile of the local arts community, and further become an inspiration to local musicians. Unfortunately, The Strumbellas could not attend for they were performing at The Junos. Jason Ward, brother to Strumbella-frontman Simon Ward, attended and accepted the Lifetime Membership on the band's behalf. Jason Ward said The Strumbellas sent their regrets to everyone, best wishes to The Kents in congratulation to them for performing for the night, and their support for KLAC. He said The Strumbellas are very proud of their hometown.

A second special presentation was made to honour David Morrison who was stepping down from his role as a board member. We are grateful for all David has done for KLAC from the early formation of the Council to being the first chair, and for all he has done for the music community.

The evening concluded with a performance by the band, The Kents. From the familiar places depicted on their merchandise (t-shirt graphics of the Academy Theatre and the Lindsay Muskies hockey team,) the hometown pride is strong with this band, as well. The playlist consisted of "Something About Her," "From the Start," "Once More," "The Stakes," "You Were There," and "Smoke," and at one point, the band had the audience singing along. Frontman Warren Frank mentioned The Kents have opened for The Strumbellas in the past, and at one time were invited to meet The Strumbellas for a moment of informal mentorship, in which they got to "pick their brains" about the music industry. This is a band that is going places quickly; already booked to tour the west coast this year.

The Kents are planning to be back in town in May, and you won't want to miss it.

KLAC will be having its second Annual General Meeting on Thursday, March 30th at the Lindsay Golf and Country Club.

Don't miss our musical guests -- The Kents!

6:30pm to 9:00pm * Admission is FREE!

Light refreshments * Cash bar.

Thinking of helping out KLAC? Now is your chance. We're looking to add volunteers to our Programming and Communications Committees. If you're interested, send an email to kawarthalakesartscouncil@gmail.com